Everything a Dog Owner Must Know About Putting a Dog Down

There are many questions you need answering after you’ve made the heart breaking decision to put your dog to sleep. Here’s Everything a Dog Owner Must Know About Putting a Dog Down.

Knowing the facts can be a major factor in coping with your grief and making a life for yourself and your family without your beloved pet. Euthanasia is defined as humanely ending the life of an animal to end extreme suffering – find out how a dog is put down so you can feel at peace with your resolution…

Talking to Your Vet

Your vet will ultimately help guide you through the process – with your dog’s best interest always at the forefront of any decision. The choice will be yours but you’ll have an instinct that tells you when your dog has had enough. Euthanasia is often the best choice for:

Serious medical conditions

Common signs of poor quality of life include lack of interest in people and toys, loss of appetite, depression, and reclusive behaviour

Chronic or terminal illness

When response to treatment is failing or causing your dog to become worse, and when you’re noticing more bad days than good with no energy levels or enjoyment

Traumatic injuries

Excessive bleeding and injuries that cause loss of control to bodily functions and mobility where suffering can’t be relieved

Old age

When your dog shows a dramatic decline in everyday habits, and simply is finding life too difficult to live comfortably

Behavioural issues

When extensive rehabilitation training has failed and your dog is still showing signs of aggressive behaviour and is a risk to people and other animals.

Getting prepared

You need to make time to say goodbye – this includes all family members. You’ll have to explain in advance what will happen so that everyone can be prepared for the loss of their friend. Discuss with your family if you want to make your appointment with your vet at the surgery – or if you’d prefer a home visit vet to carry out the procedure for you. If you choose the surgery take your dog’s bed, pillow, or comfy blanket to offer comfort and security.

In-home euthanasia can be easier if your dog is in acute pain or is stressed when visiting the vets. You may also want to give this option further consideration if you have other dogs in your house – as pack animals they can get confused if they see one dog leave the house and not come back – and can search for a long time afterwards.

Making the Decision

Deciding on whether to be there or not is another factor to consider. It’s a personal choice – can you bear to see your dog’s passing or is it something you simply have to do? You’ll need to think carefully as you may have regrets if you don’t stay – creating a sense of guilt that may be very difficult to come to terms with. However the choice must be your personal preference – your discomfort with death shouldn’t govern your decision.

Get a clear focus on what you want to do with your dog after the euthanasia – planning that now will eliminate any stress that may make you hurriedly decide on an option that you later regret. You can choose to cremate your dog and scatter the ashes in communal grounds, or have an individual cremation where the ashes are returned to you. Burial is another option – you need to find out if at home burials are legal in your area.

Try to settle up your finances in advance as you really don’t want to be making a bill payment after your dog has gone.

The euthanasia procedure

How exactly is a dog euthanised? Your vet will explain the procedure as it happens – your dog may need an initial sedative if frightened an unable to relax –if your dog is already quiet the sedative may not be needed. The euthanasia medication most commonly used is pentobarbital which is a seizure medication when rendered in large quantities quickly makes your dog unconscious.

Your vet must hold a special certificate to purchase the euthanasia solution – the combination of chemicals effect a quick and painless termination alongside complete muscle relaxation. There are no nerve impulses, ensuring no thought, sensation, or movement.

Euthanasia specifically acts quickly, and the vet administers it through a vein. Usually within a few seconds your dog will take a deeper breath and lapse into what looks like a deep sleep. Your dog may take a few more breaths taken before all movement ceases. Within a minute the heart and brain functions shut down – as your pet passes soiling may occur but this a normal part of the process. Sometimes there are muscle spasms and air sounds as the air leaves the body – but your dog won’t still be alive.

After the process your vet will listen to your dog’s heart to confirm death – letting you know that your dog has peacefully passed. The vet will give you time to say goodbye – you can take as long as you like. If you’ve already made your after care and payment arrangements you can just leave when you’re ready.

Home Visit Vets

Dog euthanasia at home will be provided by highly qualified vets – and animal lovers from Cloud 9 Vets. The end of life practitioners understand the need to ensure your dog is spared any unnecessary suffering. If your dog is chronically unwell, recently diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, or getting old and uncomfortable, this caring home visit service will take care of your dog and you.

Gentle dog euthanasia at home ensures your dog passes peacefully in their own home surrounded by the people and things they love. Your vet will have professional training and qualifications – and years of experience helping families and their dogs.

You want to know that your dog won’t feel any pain. Putting your dog to sleep at home takes away the pressure and stress of having to go to the surgery. We will help your dog to relax and won’t need a muzzle or an unfriendly approach.
The process involves two injections. The first is a slight pinprick to administer a sedative. Your dog will drift into a deep sleep within 15 minutes. The vet gives the second injection intravenously through a shaved patch or via a catheter into the leg. Your dog simply won’t feel a thing.

Pet cremation services offered

Cloud 9 Vets provide caring dog cremation– the cremation will take place at the Chapel of Rest. You can opt to be present or let the vets take care of it all for you. When you select individual cremation we will collect the ashes and cool them for you. Then, we will hand them over to a cremulator to create a fine ash. You can have the ashes spread in the chapel grounds or returned to you. You can request a certificate of cremation if you would like one.

Grieving the loss of your dog

Grief affects everybody differently and there’s no right or wrong way to deal with it. It’s natural that you feel devastated when your dog has been out to sleep. The pain can sometimes be overwhelming and trigger all sorts of difficult emotions.
Your dog will have bought you companionship and fun – adding routine to your day and keeping you social and active. The level of grief you experience will depend on your age and personality. So too will the age of your pet and your decision to euthanise. You may feel guilty over your decision, but there are healthy ways to come to terms with your loss. Talking it through with others sympathetic to what you’ve been through can help. You need to take care of yourself – losing your dog can cause your physical and emotional reserves to quickly deplete. Try to maintain a normal routine – even more important for young family members and other pets.

Get professional help if you need it.  If your grief won’t subside and is affecting your everyday life you need to see your doctor.  They can help you cope with your depression. There are many pet loss and bereavement resources to turn to online. With help and advice to support you during these traumatic times.

Memorialise your dog

There are many ways to remember your beloved companion and doing something special can really help you to say goodbye. If arranged before your dog died you can create a paw print out of clay or ink. Or you can:
– Display your dog’s favourite toy, collar, and photo in a window box
– Plant a tree or shrub in your garden and scatter the ashes around the base
– Place a decorative stepping stone with a message in a favourite spot
– Hold a memorial service with family and friends
– Have a handcrafted glass remembrance made from your dog’s ashes
– Write a poem, blog, or story to express your emotions, and publish it online